Turkish court charges Israeli military members

Written By THA on Monday, 28 May 2012 | 12:42

Hürriyet Photo

A Turkish court has formally pressed charges against members of Israel's military for the killing of nine people aboard a Turkish ship trying to break Israel's blockade of Gaza in 2010.

Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency says the court in Istanbul voted unanimously today to approve an indictment against Israel's former military chief Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, along with the heads of its navy, air force and military intelligence. It has said they face nine consecutive life terms in prison for "inciting to kill monstrously, and by torturing." Israeli military members are unlikely to stand trial in Turkey but the court might issue an order for their arrest if they are convicted in absentia.

The move comes just a few days ahead of the second anniversary of the May 31 raid. (ANKARA - The Associated Press)